Yarn carrier rod operating means for straight knitting machines



. April 1944- I G. BlTZER 2,345,914

YARN CARRIER ROD OPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES FiledMarch 27, 1942 10 Sheets-Sheet l f=i==l i I AJ? INVENTOR:

ATTORN April 1944- J G. BITZER 2,345,914

YARN CARRIER ROD OPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES FiledMarch 27, 1942 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR:

- G. BITZER April 4, 1944.

YARN CARRIER ROD OPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES FiledMarch 27, 1942 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 4, 1944. G. BITZER 2,345,914

YARN CARRIER ROD OPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES FiledMarch 27, 1942 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORI April 1944- G. BITZER2,345,914

YARN CARRIER ROD OPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES FiledMarch 27, 1942 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 ll F.T.E-J.U.

INVENTORZ ATTOR EY.

April 4, 1944. n-z "2,345,914

YARN CARRIER ROD OPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES FiledMarch 27, 1942 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 95 FL 5--.L 3.1-

INVENTORZ G. BITZER 2,345,914

YARN CARRIER ROD OPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES April 4,1944.

F'iled March 2'7, 1942 ATTORN EY.

. INVENTOR.' Gafilobjiifer,

F1. 5--.LE-

557FJLE E FlE-.l

April 4, 1944. G, B-[TZER v 2,345,914

YARN CARRIER ROD OPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES FiledMarch 27, 1942 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 5Q are:

INVENTORI ATTOR N EY.

April 4, 1944. G. BITZER 2,345,914

YARN CARRIER ROD OPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES FiledMarch 27, 1942 1o Sheets-Sheet 9 FIE-.Efi-

INVENTORI ATTO R N EY.

P 1944- G. BITZER 2,345,914

YARN CARRIER ROD OPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KRITTING MACHINES FiledMarCh 27, 1942 I 10 Sheet -Sheet 10 INVENTOR: Gafilobfiiigcz; BY C? Q IE ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 4, 194% UNITED STATES .E ATENT OFFICE YARN CARRIER RODGPERATING MEANS FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING FEACHINES 21 Glairns.

This invention relates to straight or full-fashioned knitting machines,and more particularly to means for determinedly controlling the actionof certain selective yarn feeding mechanisms of such machines.

It is now common practice to knit full-fashioned hosiery according tothe ringless principic, that is, with a plurality of yarns, usuallythree. For this purpose it is common practice to provide a friction boxarrangement having automatic yarn carrier rod selector means forconnecting and releasing the multiple yarn laying rods carrying out theringless knitting. However, when knitting certain areas of a ringlessstocking blank, only a single yarn is employed, and for this purpose astandard friction box of the full-fashioned knitting machine isordinarily utilized to reciprocate a single yarn carrier bar. Duringoperation of the single thread carrier, the ringless friction box isreleased from operation, and is disconnected from the friction rod ofthe machine so that the therewith asscciated carrier rod connecting andreleasing, or selector means, can be moved to inactive position relativeto the yarn carrier rods.

When the automatic carrier selecting mechanism for ringless knitting isput into operation, after a single rod has been operated as explained,the carrier rod connecting means associated with the friction box, mustbe precisely positioned for engagement with the first cooperating yarncarrier rod to be driven to lay the yarn for the initial course of theringless portion. Certain automatic carrier selecting mechanisms heretofore available have proven unreliable and unsatisfactcry in this respectin that their initial connection with the thread carrier bar was noteffected as intended, with the result that the fabric was pressed cfi.

One object of my invention is to provide novel whereby only a certainone of the selectors can be moved to engagement with its cooperatingcarrier at the start of the ringless cycle.

An additional object is to provide such means whereby engagement of theringless yarn laying attachment with the friction rod of the ma chinecannot be effected when the proper carrier rod selector and itscooperating carrier rod are not in engaging position at the start of theringless cycle.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the illustrative embodiments of theinvention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides inthe yarn carrier rod opcrating mechanism comprising the novel elements,features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperativerelationship, as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in theclaims.

In the drawings: Figure l is a top plan view of a full-fashionedknitting machine with a portion of the length omitted as indicated bythe section breaks and having one form of my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the carrier rod driving mechanismshown at the center of l and enlarged relativ thereto;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with the parts in differentrelative positions;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 55of Fig. 2;

Figv 6 is a side view of the mechanism of Fig. 2

seen from the left thereof;

7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but with parts in different relativepositions;

Fig. 8 is a view of certain of the mechanism shown in Figs. 6 and 7, butshown in different relative positions;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9--9 ofFig. l;

10 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line Iii-10of Fig. 2;

11 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line |Ill ofFig. 10;

12 is a sectional view taken substantially g the line 22-42 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-53 of Fig. 1 andturned at right angles relative thereto;

Fi 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of certain of the carrier rods anddriving means therefor in one step in the cycle of operations of saiddriving means;

Fi 15 is a view of the mechanism as seen from the right of Fig. 14 andturned at right angles relative thereto, certain parts being omitted;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 14 but showing another step in thecycle of operation of the carrier rods and driving means therefor;

Fig. 17 is a View of the mechanism as seen from the left of Fig. 16 andturned at right angles relative thereto, certain parts being omitted;Figs. 18, 20, 22 and 24 are views similar to Figs. 14 and 16 showingfurther steps in a cycle of operation of the carrier rods and drivingmean therefor;

Figs. 19 and 23 are views similar to Fig. as seen from the right ofFigs. 18 and 22, respectively;

Figs. 21 and 25 are views similar to Fig. 17, as seen from the left ofFigs. 20 and 24, respec tively;

Fig. 26 is a view similar to Fig. 2. of another form of carrier roddriving mechanism with a modified. form of the invention appliedthereto;

Fig. 27 is a view similar to Fig. 26 but with certain parts broken away;

Fig. 28 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line28-28 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 29 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 29-29 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 30 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line3030 of Fig. 27 and having an element in back of the line of sectionappearing in dot-and-dash outline; and

Fig. 31 is a view similar to Fig. 30 but showing the parts in difierentpositions relative thereto.

In the drawings and description, only the knitting machine partsnecessary to a complete understanding of the invention have beenspecifically set forth; further information as to the construction andoperation of other related, usual and well known knitting machineelements, mechanisms, etc., may be found in one or more of the followingpublications:

1. Pamphlet entitled-Full Fashioned Knitting Machinespublished andcopyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania, in1920.

2. Three catalogs entitled-The Reading Full-Fashioned Knitting MachineParts Catalog-published and copyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, in1929, 1935, and 1940, respectively.

3. Booklet entitled-The Reading High-Production Full-Fashioned KnittingMachin.e which forms a supplement to the above noted 1940 parts catalogof the Textile Machine Works, and which booklet is a publication of theTextile Machine Works, and was copyrighted by the latter in 1940.

4. Pamphlet entitledKnitting Machine Lectures-published by theWyomissing Polytechnic Institute, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, in 1935.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly Figs. 1, 9and 13.1 haveshown a knitting machine to which a ringless attachment or car-.

rier rod driving mechanism is applied and which comprises transverse endand center members I0 and H connected to each otherby a front beam 2, aback beam 3, a front bed l4 and a center bed E6. The end and'centerframes l0 and H carry a cam shaft I? for operating the variousmechanisms of the machine. Mounted on the center bed It are brackets [8'in which are slidably mounted carrier rods l to 8, having needles (notshown). of the machine. The carrier rcds l to 8 are actuated or drivento feed yarn to the needles by means of an actuating device 22 carriedby and frictionaily engaged to a full-speed friction rod 2! of themachine.

The carrier rod actuating or driving mechanism 22 is of a selector typeemployed for reciprocating a plurality of carrier rods in recurringsequence and comprises a friction box housing as shown in Figs. 2, 6 and'7, which is provided with the usual friction shoes (not shown) and acamming lever 26 for frictionally engaging or releasing the box from thefriction rod 21. The housing 23 is supported in sliding relation on ausual half speed friction rod 2! of the ma chine and is provided with apivoted arm 26 for engagement with dogs 29, one of which is shown inFigs. 6 and '7, on a speed reducing rod 25.

Cooperating with the friction box for recipro catin certain of thecarrier rods, and more particularly carrier rods l, 2 and 3 (Figs. 6 and7) is a lever or selector element 28 which is slidabiy mounted on asquare shaft 29, said lever 28 pro-- jecting from the shaft 26 andbetween projections 3i of the friction box 23 to be reciprocated withthe friction box 23 by the friction rod 2!. The shaft 26 has concentricend portions 33 by means of which the shaft is carried in bracketssecured to the machine frame one of which is shown at 32 (Fig. 2), saidshaft having collars 33 secured thereto at opposite sides of the bracket32 for preventing axial movement of the shaft. The lever or element 28is provided with long fingers or elements 36 and 38, and a short fingeror element 3! for alternate engagement with dogs ii, 42 and 43 carriedby the carrier rods l, 2 and 3, in a manner hereinafter set forth.

The shaft 29 is rocked to engage the fingers 37, and 36 with the dogs4!, 42 and 43 by a lever M secured to one end 38 of shaft 29 (Fig. 2)and which carries a cam follower 45 for engagement with a cam 46 (Figs.10 and 11) carried by an auxiliary cam shaft ll rotatably mounted in oneof the brackets 32. A spring 5i connected be tween an extension 38 ofthe lever 44 (Figs. 6 and and a pin 52 on the bracket 32, maintains thefollower as on the lever'M in engagement with the cam 46. 1

The shaft 4'! and cam at are given a step-wise rotative movement bymeans of a ratchet wheel 53 secured to the shaft 41 and a pawl 54 (Figs.2, 3 and 4) carried by one arm E5 of a lever 56 pivotally mounted on theshaft ll between the ratchet wheel 53 and a hand wheel 5'! secured tothe shaft i? for manually turning the same. The pawl 54 is maintained inengagement (Fig. 3) or out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 53 (Fig.4) by an over-the-center spring 58, opposite ends of which are connectedto the pawl 54 and lever 56, respectively. The lever 56 is given arocking movement to turn the shaft 4'! by a link 6|. connected at oneend to a second arm 63 of the lever 56 by a pin and toggle arrangement62. and at its other end to a lever 63. The lever 33 is pivotallymounted on a bracket 64 (Fig. 9) carried on the back beam 83 and has acam follower 66 pivotally mounted thereon'for engagement with a cam 61on the cam shaft i! when the cam shaft is in the knitting position andwith a concentric disk 68 when the cam shaft has been shifted to theright or narrowing position, as viewed in Fig. 1. A spring 7i, connectedto the lever 63 and to a bracket iii on the front beam l2, maintains thecam follower 66 in engagement with the cam 67 or disk 68.

The shaft 41 is prevented from over-travel during its racking movementby a brake arrangement (Figs. 11 and 12) including a plate 12 having afriction disk 13, such as of leather, secured thereto as by rivets 14and a disk 16, secured to the shaft 41. Projections 11 of the bracket 32engage in notches 18 in the plate 12 to prevent the plate and frictiondisk 13 from rotating. The friction disk 13 is held in frictionalengagement with the disk 16 by a series of springs BI, the amount offrictional engagement between the friction disk 13 and disk 16 beingadjustable by means of lock nuts 82. The disk 16 is provided withnotches 63 for engagement by a detent member which is pressed toward thedisk 16 by a spring 86 for holding the shaft 41 in proper angularposition between racking movements of the shaft.

The reciprocating movements of the carrier rods I to 8 are controlled byend stops 81 carried by a carrier rod end stop nut 88 of a usualnarrowing head mechanism N provided at both ends of the knittingmachine. Also carried on the end stop nut 88 at each end of the machineis a carrier rod holding or rebound stop device, similar to that shownon pages 126 and 127 and, 204 of the aforementioned 1935 parts catalog,to hold the idle carrier rods during operation of the active carrierrods. The holding or rebound stop device, as shown in Figs. 1 and 13,comprises in general a housing 9|, secured to and movable with the endstop nut 83 in which are slidably mounted stop members 92, one forengagement with a dog 63 on each of the carrier rods I to 8, onlycarrier rods 3, and 1 of which are shown having dogs 93 (Fig. 13). Thestop members 92 are pressed toward the carrier rods by springs 84, thesprings for the stop members for carrier rods I to 4 being shown in Fig.13 and the springs for the stop members for the carrier rods 5 to 8shown generally in Fig. l. The stop members 92 are raised, to releasethe carrier rods I to 4 to permit the active carrier rods to bereciprocated across the knitting field, by an arm 96 secured to a lever61 pivotally mounted on a shaft 96, the lower end of lever 91beingprovided with a forked portion lill which cooperates with a projectingportion I02 of a yoke member I63, also pivotally mounted on the shaftea. The yoke member I63 is provided with a pin I04 for engagement withthe upper end of a lever I 06 which is pivotally mounted on a bracketI01 secured to the back beam 53, and carries a cam follower ifiii forengagement with a cam II I on the cam shaft l1. A spring II 2 connectedbetween the lever i536 and a bracket ilii on the back beam I3 maintainsthe cam follower 500 in engagement with the cam I I I.

The stop members 92 for the carrier rods 5 to 8 are raised by an arm II4(Fig. 1) carried by a lever II6, also pivotally mounted on the shaft 98,the lower end of lever IIii cooperating with a cam arrangement II1carried on a plating bar I I8 secured to the usual connecting bar (notshown) of the machine, this cam arrangement being similar to that shownin the aforesaid pages I26 and I21 of the 1935 parts catalog.

Each of the dogs 4!, 42 and 43 are provided with a slot H9, at highportion I25! and a low portion I 2I at the left side of the slot I59 andhigh and low portions I22 and I23, respectively, at the right side ofthe slot II9 by means of which each of the carrier rods I, 2 and 3 areengaged and reciprocated in recurring sequence, high portions I20 allbeing on the front sides of the dogs and high portions I22 on the rearsides thereof.

In operation with the carrier rods I, 2 and 3 in the position of Fig.14, in which carrier rods I and 2 are at the right against theirrespective end stops 81 and the carrier rod 3 is against its left endstop 81, the cam 46 actuates the lever 28 to engage the long finger 36in the slot II9 of dog 42 and align the short finger 31, longitudinallyof the carrier rods, with the right low portion I23 and the left highportion I26 of the dog 43 on the carrier rod 3, as shown in Figs. 14 and15. Upon movement of the friction box 23 to drive the carrier rod 2 tothe left, the

short finger 31 passes over the right low portion I23 of dog 43. As thecarrier rod 2 strikes its end stop 81 the short finger 31 engages theleft high portion I20 on the dog 43 to press the carrier rod against itsleft end stop 61, so that the slot H9 in the dog 43 is in position to beengaged by the long finger 38 of lever 28. The lever 28 is then operatedby the cam 46 to move the long finger 38 into the slot II9 of dog 43(Fig. 16) and the short finger 31 into longitudinal alignment with theright high portion I22 of the dog M on the carrier rod I. Upon movementof the friction box 23 to the right with carrier rod 3, the short finger31 passes over the left low portion I2I (Figs. 16 and 17) of the dog 4ion the carrier rod I and presses against the right high portion I22 ofthe dog 4|. The lever 28 is then operated by the cam 46 to move the longfinger 36 into engagement with the slot II9 of dog M on the carrier rodI, as shown in Fig. 18, and the low finger 31 is aligned, longitudinallyof the carrier rods, with right low portion I23 (Figs. 18 and 19) andthe left high portion I20 of the dog 42. Upon movement of the frictionbox 23 from right to left the low finger 31 passes over the right lowportion I 23 and presses against the left high portion I20 ol the dog 42on the carrier rod 2.

Figs. 20 to 25 are similar to Figs. 14 to 19 and together Figs. 14 to 25show the position of the lever 28 during a complete yarn laying cycle ofoperation of the carrier rods I, 2 and 3.

As shown in Figs. 14 to 25, long fingers 36 and 38' are employed toengage dogs 4|, 42 and 43 on 4 the carrier rods I, 2 and 3,respectively, to drive the carrier rods to the right and left across theknitting field and the short finger 31 is utilized to engage the lefthigh portion I20 or right high portion I22 of the idle carrier rod atthe end of each yarn laying stroke to insure that the dogs on the idlecarrier rods are in position to be engaged by one of the long fingers 36or 30.

When it is desired to discontinue operation of thealternating carrierrods, the carrier rod connesting and releasing lever or element 22 movedto an inactive position relative to the dogs on the carrier rods. Forthis purpose there is provided a cam member I24 (Figs. 6, 7, 3, 10 and11), pivotally mounted on a hub portion I25 of the cam 46 (Fig. 11), andhaving a projection I26 which carries a pin I21 and a spring I20connected between the pin I21 and a pin I29 carried in the bracket 32.The cam member I24 is adapted to engage the cam follower iii on thelever 44 to turn the shaft 29 and lever 20 to move the fingers 36, 31and 38 to an inactive position relative to the carrier rods. When it isdesired to move the lever 28 to inactive position relative to thecarrier rods, the cam member I24 is ro- I tated manually in acounterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 6 to thatshown in Figs. '7 and 8, the spring I28 maintaining, a.

projection iii on the cam member I24 in engagement with the pin I25until again moved to the position of Fig. 6 by the operator.

When it is desired to again operate the friction box 23 and to move thefingers 3'5, and 38 of lever 28 into the path of the dogs on the carrierrods I, 2 and 5, the cam member is retated to the position of Fig. 6.However, it is desirable to prevent engagement of the fingers St or 33with an improper carrier rod to start the alternating sequence or, tomove the fingers to such position that no carrier rod is engaged, assometimes occurs when the shaft 41 and cam 46 is accidentally rotatedwhile the friction box is in disengaged position. For this purpose,there is provided an arm I32 carried by the cam member 12 3 and having afollower portion 55 for engagement with a cam I33 secured to the hubportion I25 of cam 45, as shown in Fig. 5. The follower portion 1% ismaintained in engagement with the cam I53 by means of a spring I34 whichis connected between a pin E55 on the arm I32 and a pin I31 on theprojection H25 of said cam member !24 (Fig. 6). The arm 132 also has acutaway portion i358 for purposes hereinafter set forth.

During operation of the box 23 to lay yarn to the knitting elements, thecam member I24 is positioned, as shown in Fig. 6, with the cam follower45 on the cam 55 to cause the lever 28 to engage with the carrier rodsI, 2 and 3 in alternating sequence. When the alternating sequence of thecarrier rods is to be discontinued, after the frictionbox 23 hascompleted a yarn layin 42 of the carrier rod 2, as shown in Figs. 14:and

15, the lever 26 is moved in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig, 2,to release the friction box from the friction rod 23, the pawl 54 ismoved from its active position of Fig. 3, to its inactive position shownin Fig. i, the lever 25 is moved out of the path of dog 25 on the rod 25and the cam member I 2 1 is turned from its position in Fig. 6 to itsposition in Fig. 8. At this time the follower portion Hit of the arm 532is in engagement with a low portion Ml of cam I 33,

the parts remaining in this position until the alternating sequence isagain to be resumed, whereupon movement of the cam member 12 back to itsposition of Fig. 8 will again engage the finger 36 in the groove IE9 ofdog 52 on the carrier rod 2. However, if for some reason the shaft 41has been accidentally turned to a position in which the arm 232 is inengagement with the high point of cam its, as shown in Fig. 7, at thetime the carrier rods i, 2 and 3 are to be alternately operated, thecutaway portion l38 of arm I32 is moved into such position relative tothe pin i251 as to prevent the cam member I125 from being moved to itsposition of Fig. 6. Consequently, before the cam member 525 may again bemoved to permit the lever 28 to move into active position relative tothe carrier rod 2, the shaft 41 must be rotated to bring the low point III of cam I33 into engagement with the arm I32, as shown in Fig. 8.

A further form of carrier rod driving and selector mechanism is shown inFigs. 26 to 31 and comprises a carrier rod alternating attachment of thetwo lever type, an auxiliary cam shaft associated therewith forselectively connecting and releasing the carrier rods of the alternatingseries, a cam lever for disengaging the attachment from the frictionrod, a safety lever for preventing operation of the cam lever to engagethe attachment to the friction rod when the auxiliary cam shaft is insuch angular position as to prevent engagement of a carrier or to causeengagement of an improper carrier at the start of the alternatingsequence and a cam on the auxiliary cam shaft for controlling theoperation of the safety lever.

Referring to the Figs. 26, 27 and 28, a carrier rod alternatingattachment I51, shown generally on pages 197 to 203, of the aforesaid1940 parts catalog, comprises a frame member or friction box I52 havingfrictional engagement with the friction rod 2i through the usualfriction shoes 7 I53, a plate spring member I54, and a cam lever I55,pivotally mounted in a yoke member I51, for engaging the attachment toor disengaging it from the friction rod 2i. The frame portion orfriction box I52 also is provided with a portion E55 having slidingengagement with the half speed friction rod 21.

The frame member E52 has upright members or arms I53 between which aredisposed levers or selector elements i5i and I52 rotatably mounted on ashaft I53 eccentrically carried on a shaft I64 rotatably mounted in thearms E53. The shaft I63 may be turned about the shaft I54 by means of alever I65 which is secured to the shaft I53 and carries a detent member551 adapted to engage an opening I53 in the shaft E M (Fig. 28), ineither one of two positions of the lever I66 for reasons hereinafter setforth. The levers ltl and E62 have extensions Ill and E12, re-

' spectively, spaced by bolts E15 having jam nuts 15A from extensionsI13 and I15 of cam levers I15 and I11, respectively, which are alsorotat- V ably mounted on shaft I 53 and alongside of levers I 6i andI62, respectively. The cam levers I15 and I11 have cam followers E18 andI3I,'

respectively, for engagement with cams I82 and I83, respectively,disposed between the arms I58,

. on an auxiliary cam shaft fed and rotated therewith by pawl andratchet means (not shown) operated from the connecting bar of themachine in a manner similar to that shown in the F. Autem Patent No.2,219,733, issued October 29, 1940. Tension springs I85 connectedbetween extensions I19 and I88 also on the levers I6I, I16 and 162, I11,respectively, transmit a pull between them to maintain the extensionsI11 and I12 normally as close to extensions I13 and I14 as permitted bybolts I15 and springs 181 connected between the levers HM and I62 andthe friction box I52 (Fig. 28) urge the levers Itl and IE2 in theclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 28 to maintain the followers E13,I8I in contact with the cams H82 and I83, respectively by the clockwisetorque thereby transmitted to levers I16 and I11. Said bolts I15 inextensions HI and I12 contact with extensions I73 and I14 to holdextensions NH and M2 in the desired relation to the carrier rods I, 2and 3 which are to be driven thereby, jam nuts I15A holding bolts I15 inadjusted position. Owing to springs I85 and H81 the motions of followersI18 and I3! are transmitted through trains of parts which are yieldableirrespective of the direction of movement of levers I t! and it's,whereby no damage results in case any portion of either of saidextensions strikes an obstruction, an occurrence which their manner ofuse renders quite possible.

Levers I5I and E52 have fingers or elements I83 and I9I (Fig. 28) forengagement with dogs I92 (Fig. 29) on the carrier rods I, 2 and 3 andare operated by the cams I 82 and I93 to alternately connect and releasethe carrier rods I, 2 and 3 in a manner similar to that shown in theaforesaid Patent No. 2,219,733.

When it is desired to discontinue operation of the attachment IEI at theend of the last yarn laying stroke of the alternating attachment inwhich the carrier rod I is moved from left to right, the cam shaft I69is operated to connect the levers I6I and I62 to the carrier rod 2. Atthis time the detent member I6? is withdrawn from the right side of theopening I66, in the shaft I64 and the lever I66 rotated in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 28, to a position in whichthe detent member I6? is engaged in the left side of the opening I69,which action moves the levers IBI and I62 to inactive position relativeto the dogs I 92 on the carrier rods. Also at this time, the pawl andratchet means on the auxiliary cam shaft is disabled to prevent furtherrotation of the auxiliary cam shaft and the cam lever I56 is moved tothe position of Fig. 27, to release the attachment II from the frictionrod 2I. The attachment is maintained in this condition until the carrierrods I, 2 and 3 are again to be alternately operated.

In order to prevent engagement of any carrier rod except carrier rod 2at the start of the next sequential operation of the carrier rods, thereis provided a cam I93 mounted on the shaft I84 to rotate in fixedrelation with the cams I92 and I93. The cam I93 cooperates with aprojection I94 of a lever I96 pivotally mounted on a pin or bolt I97carried by a bracket I93 secured to friction box I52 as shown in Figs.30 and 31. The lever I96 has a second projection 20I, which overlies thepath of movement of an end 209 of the cam lever I56 when it is in theposition shown in Fig. 27, and a spring 262 connected between the leverI96 and one of the arms I58 biases the projection I94 toward the camI93. A bracket 293 (Figs. 30 and 31) limits the counterclockwisemovement of the lever I96 if the spring accidentally becomesdisconnected from the lever With this arrangement, when the cam leverI56 has been moved to the position shown in Fig.

27, and the pawl and ratchet mechanism (not r shown) for the shaft I64has been disabled to prevent rotation of the shaft while the alternatingattachment is inactive, the projection I94 of lever I96 will be inengagement with a low part 294 of cam I93 and the projection 29Ipositioned out of the plane of movement of cam lever I56, as shown inFig. 31, whereupon the cam lever I56 may be turned in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 27, to reengage the friction box I52 to thefriction rod 2 I, and when the lever I66 is turned again to its positionof Fig. 28, to lower the levers I6I and I62, the levers will be inposition to engage the dog I92 of the starting carrier rod to start theringless knitting. I However, if for some reason the shaft I84 and camI93 are accidentally rotated to the position in which the projection I94is in engagement with the high portion of cam I93, as shown in Fig. 30,the projection 29I of the lever I96 will be in the plane of movement ofthe cam lever I56, so that it cannot be moved from its position of Fig.27 to reengage the friction box I52 to the friction rod 2I until theshaft I84 is again turned to engage the low part 294 of cam I93 with thelever I96.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described by which Iobtain the said results, can be changed and modified in various wayswithout departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafterclaimed.

I claim:

1. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with a plurality ofyarn carrier rods, driving mechanism for said rods, and a selectormechanism comprising selector elements forming part of said drivingmechanism and effective to connect the latter with the rods indetermined order beginning with a selector element and a certain carrierrod, of means for rendering said driving mechanism ineffective untilsaid selector element is in position to engage said certain carrier rod.

2. In a straight knitting machine having a plurality of yarn carrierrods, driving mechanism for said yarn carrier rods, selector means forsaid yarn carrier rods associated with said driving mechanism foroperating the rods in predetermined order starting with a certaincarrier rod, and means for rendering said driving mechanism ineffectivewhen said starting yarn carrier rod to be operated is not in engagingposition with respect to said selector means.

3. In a straight knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, mechanismincluding a friction box for driving said yarn carrier rods, a devicefor connecting said yarn carrier rods to and releasing them from saidfriction box starting with a certain carrier rod, and means forpreventing operation of said friction box to drive said yarn carrierrods when said connecting and releasing device is not in cooperatingrelation with respect to said starting yarn carrier rod.

4. In a full-fashioned knitting machine having a yarn carrier rod,mechanism including a friction box for driving said yarn carrier rod,means for connecting said yarn carrier rod to and releasing it from saidfriction box, and means for preventing operation of said friction box todrive said yarn carrier rod when said connecting and releasing means inot in position to engage said yarn carrier rod.

5. In a full-fashioned knitting machine having a yarn carrier rod,driving mechanism for said yarn carrier rod having an element forconnecting said yarn carrier rod to and releasing it from said drivingmechanism, means for moving said carrier rod connecting element fromactive to inactive position when said connecting element is in apredetermined position relative to said yarn carrier rod and means forpreventing return of said connecting and releasing element to activeposition relative to said yarn carrier rod when said connectin andreleasing means is not in said predetermined position with respect tosaid yarn carrier rod.

6. In a knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, means for drivingsaid yarn carrier rods comprising, a friction box, an element forconnecting said yarn carrier rods to and releasing them from saidfriction box in predetermined sequence, an auxiliary cam shaft, cammeans on said auxiliary cam shaft for operating said element to connectand release said carrier rods, means on said auxiliary cam shaft formoving said element from active to inactive position when said elementis in a predetermined position relative to said carrier rods and meansfor preventing movement of said element from inactive to active positionrelative to said car- .said carrier rods comprising rier rods when saidelement is not in said'predetermined position with respect to said yarncarrier rods at the start of said predetermined sequence.

7. In a knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, means for drivingsaid yarn carrier rods comprising, a friction box, an element forconnecting said yarn carrier rods to'and releasing them from saidfriction box in predetermined sequence, an auxiliary cam shaft, cammeans on said auxiliary cam shaft for operating said element to connectand release said carrier rods, means on said auxiliary cam shaft formoving said element from active to inactive position when said elementis in a predetermined position relative to said carrier rods, and meansincluding a cam member on said auxiliary cam shaft for preventingmovement of said element from inactive to active position relative tosaid carrier rod when said element is not in said predetermined positionwith respect to said yarn car- 'rier rods at the start of saidpredetermined sequence.

8. In a knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, means for drivingsaid yarn carrier rods comprising, a friction box, means associated withsaid box including an element for connecting said yarn carrier rods toand releasing them from said friction box in predetermined sequence, anauxiliary cam shaft, means including a cam on said auxiliary cam haftfor controlling operation of said element to connect and release saidcarrier rods, means on said auxiliary cam shaft for moving said elementfrom active to inactive position when said element is in a predeterminedposition relative to said carrier rods and means including a camelementon said auxiliary cam shaft and a cam follower member cooperatingwith said cam element for preventing movement of said carrier rodconnecting and releasing element from inactive to active position whensaid element is not in said predetermined position with respect to saidyarn carrier rods at the start of said predetermined sequence.

9. In a knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, a main cam shaft,means for driving said carrier rods comprising, a friction box, meansassociated with said friction box including an element for connectingsaid yarn carrier rods to and releasing them from said friction box inpredetermined sequence, an auxiliary cam shaft, means including a cam onsaid main cam shaft for operating said auxiliary cam shaft, cam means onsaid auxiliary cam shaft for operating said element to connect andrelease said carrier rods, means on said auxiliary cam shaft for movingsaid carrier rod connecting and releasing element from active toinactive position when said connecting and releasing element is in .apredetermined position relative to said yarn carrier rods and meansincluding a cam element on said auxiliary cam shaft and a cam followermember cooperating with said cam element for preventing movement of saidcarrier rod connecting and releasing element from inactive to activeposition when said element is not in said predetermined position withrespect to said yarn carrier rods at the start of said predeterminedsequence.

10. In a knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, a main cam shaft,means for driving a friction box, means associated with said frictionbox includingazr. element for connecting saidyarn carrier rods to andreleasing them from said friction box in predetermined sequence; anauxiliary cam shaft, cam means on said auxiliary. cam shaft foroperating said element to connect and release said carrier rods, meansincluding a cam on the main cam shaft for operatingsaid auxiliary camshaft, means on said auxiliary cam shaft for moving said carrier rodconnecting and releasing element from active to inactive position whensaid connecting and releasing element is in a predetermined'positionrelative to said yarn carrier rods and means for preventing movement ofsaid carrier rod connecting and releasing element from inactive toactive position when said connecting and releasing means is not in saidpredetermined position with respect to said yarn carrier rods at thestart of said predetermined sequence.

11. In a knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, a main cam shaft,means for driving said carrier rods comprising a friction box, meansassociated with said friction box including an element for connectingsaid yarn carrier rods to and releasing them from said friction box, anauxiliary cam shaft, cam means on said auxiliary cam shaft for operatingsaid carrier rod connecting and releasing element, means including a camon the main cam shaft for operating said auxiliary cam shaft, means onsaid auxiliary cam shaft and independently movable relative thereto formoving said carrier rod connecting and releasing element from active toinactive position when said co-nnecting and releasing element is in apredetermined position relative to said yarn carrier rods, a stop memberfor limiting the movement of said independently ,movable means and meansincluding a cam rotatable with said auxiliary cam shaft, a followermember for cooperating with said cam member, said follower membercooperating with said cam member and said stop member to preventmovement of said carrier rod connecting and releasing element frominactive to active position when said element is not in saidpredetermined position with respect to said yarn carrier rods.

12. In a full-fashioned knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, meansfor driving said yarn carrier rods, comprising a friction rod, afriction box, means for connecting said yarn carrier rods to andreleasing them from said friction box alternately in predetermined-sequence, means for engaging said friction box to and disengaging itfrom said friction rod when said connecting and releasing means is in apredetermined position relative to said yarn carrier rods in saidpredetermined sequence, and means for preventing engagement of saidfriction box to said friction rod when said yarn carrier rod connectingand releasing means is not in said predetermined position with respectto said yarn carrier rods to be connected in said predeterminedsequence.

13. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination of a group ofcarrier rods, a reciprocating friction box rod, a friction box on saidrod, a lever adapted to selectively connect said carrier rods to saidfriction box, a pivoted member on which said lever is mounted, saidlever being adapted and arranged to follow the movements of said box, acam shaft having step-bystep rotative movement and having a cam fixedthereon arranged to determine the position of said lever to select saidcarrier rods for movement, a normally stationary hand operated cammember pivoted on said step-by-step'shaft and adapted when in oneposition to hold said lever out of contact with said cam and to preventconnection between said lever and said carrier rods and in its otherposition to permit operation of said lever by said cam for selectingsaid carrier rods, means for holding said manually operated member inone position or the other, a latch member pivoted on said manuallyoperated member, and a second cam fixed on said step-by-step cam shaftand adapted to hold said latch member inoperative or to permit it tolatch said manually operated member in position to prevent connection ofsaid lever to said carrier rods depending on the angular position ofsaid cam shaft.

14. In a full-fashioned knittin machine, the combination of a group ofcarrier rods, 2, friction box rod having a friction box thereon, meanswhereby said box may be connected to said rod, a cam shaft, means togive said cam shaft a step-by-step rotative movement, a cam splined tosaid shaft and arranged to move with said friction box, a pair of leverspivotally mounted with respect to said friction box and arranged to movetherewith for connecting said box to said carrier rods in predeterminedsequence, means whereby said cam on said stepby-step shaft moves saidlevers into position to operate said carrier rods, means associated withthe pivot of said levers whereby said levers may be thrown into positionin which said cam does not act thereon and in which said levers are outof driving position with respect to all said carrier rods, a second camon said step-by-step shaft, and means cooperating with said second camand adapted when said first cam is inactive with respect to said leversto either permit or prevent the operation of the means whereby thefriction box may be connected to its friction box rod depending on theangular postition of said step-by-step shaft.

15. In a full-fashioned knitting machine having a yarn carrier rod,means for driving said yarn carrier rod comprising, a friction afriction box, means on said friction box for connecting said yarncarrier rod to and releasing it from said friction box, means forengaging said friction box to and disengaging it from said friction redwhen said connecting and releasing means is in a predetermined positionrelative to said yarn carrier rod and means for preventing saidengagement of said friction box to said friction rod when said carrierrod connecting means is not in said predetermined position with respectto said yarn carrier rod.

16. In a full-fashioned knitting machine having yarn carrier means fordriving said carrier rods comprising a friction rod, a friction box,means on said friction box for connecting said carrier rods to andreleasing them from said friction box, a cam lever carried by saidfriction box for engaging said friction box to and disen gaging it from.said friction red when said connecting and means is in a predeterminedpositicn relative to yarn. carrier rods and means for preventingmovement of said cam lever from disengaged position to said engagedposition to engage said friction box to said friction rod when saidconnecting and releasing means is not in said predetermined positionwith respect to said yarn carrier rods.

17. In a full-fashioned knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, meansfor driving said carrier rods comprising a friction rod, a friction box,a pair of elements for alternately connecting said yarn carrier rods toand releasing them from said friction box in predeterminedsequence, acam lever for engaging said friction box to. and disengaging it fromsaid friction rod when said connecting and releasing elements are in apredetermined position relative to said yarn carrier rods, an auxiliarycamshaft, cam means on said auxiliary camshaft for operating saidelements to connect and release said carrier rods, and means forreventing movement of said cam lever from said disengaged position tosaid engaged position to engage said friction box to said friction rodwhen said carrier rod connecting and releasing elements are not in saidpredetermined position with respect to said yarn carrier rods at thestart of said predetermined sequence.

18. In a full-fashioned knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, meansfor driving said carrier rods comprising a friction rod, a friction box,a pair of elements for alternately connecting said yarn carrier rods toand releasing them from said friction box in predetermined sequence, anauxiliary camshaft, cam means on said auxiliary camshaft for operatingsaid elements to connect and release said carrier rods, a cam lever forengaging said friction box to and disengaging it from said friction redwhen said pair of carrier rod connecting releasing elements are in apredetermined position relative to said yarn carrier rods and meansincluding a cam on said auxiliary camshaft for preventing movement ofsaid cam lever from said disengaged position to said engaged position toengage said friction box to said friction rod when said pair of carrierrod connecting and releasing elements are not in said predeterminedposition with respect to said yarn carrier rods at the start of saidpredetermined sequence.

19. In a knitting machine having yarn carrier rods, means for drivingsaid carrier rods comprising a friction rod, a friction box, meanscarried by the box including a pair of elements for alternatelyconnecting said yarn carrier rods to and releasing them from saidfriction box in predetermined sequence, an auxiliary camshaft, cam meanson said auxiliary camshaft for operating said elements to connect andrelease said carrier rods, a cam lever for engaging said friction box toand disengaging it from said friction rod when said pair of elements arein a predetermined position relative to said yarn carrier rods, andmeans including a cam on said auxiliary camshaft and a lever adapted tobe positioned in the plane of movement of said cam lever by said cam forpreventing movement of said cam lever from said disengaged position tosaid engaged position to engage said friction box to said friction rodwhen said pair of elements are not in said predetermined position withrespect to said yarn carrier rods at the start of said predeterminedsequence.

20. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with a plurality ofyarn carrier rods, driving mechanism for said rods comprising areciprocating member and a selector mechanism including at least oneselector element and effective to connect said member with the rods in adetermined order beginning with a selector element and a certain carrierrod of means for preventing a connection between said member and any ofsaid carrier rods except when the selector mechanism is position toengage properly with said certain rod.

21. In a straight knitting machine, the combination with a plurality ofyarn carrier rods, driving mechanism for said rods comprising areciprocating member and. a selector mechanism inand said rods forpreventing a connection be- 7 eluding at least one selector element andeffective tween said member and any of said carrier rods to connect thelatter with the rods in a deteroperable only when said selectormechanism is mined order beginning with a selector element out of thposition to engage properly with said and a certain carrier rod of meansresponsive to 5 certain rod.

the relative position of said selector mechanism GOTTLOB BITZER.

